Tens of thousands of supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro took to the streets on Sunday, the country’s Independence Day, to rally against the Supreme Court ahead of a critical verdict in his alleged coup trial.
In Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and the capital Brasilia, crowds dressed in the national colors of yellow and green gathered in support of Bolsonaro, who remains under house arrest. Their main focus was Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is leading the case against Bolsonaro.
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Bolsonaro is accused of attempting to lead a coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The former president denies all charges and claims political persecution.
A research group from Sao Paulo University estimated that about 40,000 people attended the protest in the city, a number comparable to previous demonstrations earlier this year. While Bolsonaro once attracted hundreds of thousands to such rallies, his core supporters still showed strong enthusiasm on Sunday, many expressing confidence in his innocence.
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“If he had wanted to stay in power, he would have been successful. Brazilians need to wake up,” said Suieton Souza, a former military officer, who wore a sarong featuring both the American and Brazilian flags on Copacabana Beach.
Prominent figures in Bolsonaro’s camp were also present. Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, his eldest son, wore a shirt reading “Bolsonaro 2026,” signaling political ambitions despite his father being barred from running until 2030. Flávio reiterated his criticism of Justice de Moraes, calling him a dictator.
In Sao Paulo, supporters carried a giant U.S. flag, highlighting Bolsonaro’s perceived connections with the United States. Bolsonaro’s wife, Michelle, delivered a tearful speech, expressing her support for her husband and urging faith in God’s guidance for Brazil.
“He loves his nation and his people, but he is suffering. I tell him every day that he will win. I believe and I trust in God’s answer to our nation,” Michelle Bolsonaro said.
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Ahead of Independence Day, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a national message emphasizing Brazil’s sovereignty. He reiterated that the country would not accept foreign interference in domestic affairs, a clear reference to ongoing criticism and sanctions from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The comments come after Trump imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods, linking them to Bolsonaro’s trial. Trump called the judicial proceedings a “witch hunt” and sanctioned Justice de Moraes, escalating tensions between the two nations.
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Lula also focused on promoting national unity and independence during the celebrations. In Brasilia, Bolsonaro supporters appeared in smaller numbers at the traditional military parade, while Lula and his supporters attended to honor the country’s Independence Day.
Maria do Socorro Santos, a 62-year-old Lula supporter wearing a red shirt with the president’s face, said it is amazing that people come out to defend Bolsonaro and ask Congress to pardon him while Trump imposes tariffs to hurt Brazil because they are friends.
While Lula’s message stressed independence from foreign influence, a few thousand of his supporters demonstrated in major cities in favor of the Supreme Court proceedings, showing a stark contrast to Bolsonaro’s rallies.
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The Independence Day events highlighted the deep political divide in Brazil. Bolsonaro’s backers demonstrated their continued loyalty and anger toward the Supreme Court, while Lula sought to shift the focus to national sovereignty and unity.
In Sao Paulo, Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, a presidential hopeful, represented Bolsonaro, showing ongoing political coordination within the party. Supporters waved flags and held banners demanding Bolsonaro’s exoneration, while critics accused them of challenging democratic institutions.
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The demonstrations occurred amid heightened attention to the Supreme Court verdict, which will decide Bolsonaro’s fate in the alleged coup case. Analysts noted that the presence of tens of thousands of protesters underscores Bolsonaro’s enduring influence among right-wing voters, even as his political and legal options are limited.
Both camps maintained a strong presence in major cities, with clear messaging: Bolsonaro supporters advocating for their leader’s innocence and continuation of his political legacy, and Lula’s supporters defending the judicial process and the country’s autonomy.
These events marked another intense chapter in Brazil’s polarized political climate, reflecting ongoing tensions between supporters of Bolsonaro and Lula, as well as growing international scrutiny of the nation’s domestic affairs.
